Argan Oil for Skin and Hair Care
The Argan tree bears small, oval-shaped fruits. These fruits are covered by a fleshy pulp that surrounds the nut, which accounts for about 25% of the fruits total weight. The Kernels within the nuts are the source of the organic Argan oil.
Depending on the extraction method employed, a kernel can yield an average of between 40% to 60% oil.
Also known as “liquid gold”, the organic product is rich in essential nutrients; fatty acids and vitamins especially Vitamin E, which makes it find common application in skin care and cosmetics.
For several generations, inhabitants of the Argan forest have benefitted from the rich oil extract of this amazing tree, and have used it for treating wounds, skin rashes and for dietary supplements as well as in skin and hair nourishment.
To extract the oil, workers air-dry the fruits in order to facilitate the easy removal of the fleshy pulp. There are situations where the pulps are mechanically removed without first drying the fruits. These removed fleshy pulps are usually collected by the Moroccan natives who fed them to their goats and cattle. The pulps have high nutritive contents that benefit these animals.
The Argan nuts are then manually cracked to obtain the kernels. Efforts to mechanize this process has, so far, not yielded much result. This makes the process labor-intensive and very time-consuming. The Berber women in Morocco are known to specialize in these very demanding tasks.
The intended purpose of the end product, the Argan oil, generally determines whether or not the nut would be roasted. The Kernels whose oil is intended for culinary or cuisine purposes are gently roasted, cooled and grind.
After that, they are dry-pressed to expel pure unfiltered oil which is left to stand for a couple of days. The unfiltered Argan oil is later decanted and filtered into vessels. It could be filtered further depending on the desired purity or clarity. Roasted kernels are known to produce a lot more Argan oil than the unroasted ones.
Oils intended for cosmetic uses follow similar extraction procedures as the ones for culinary use. The only difference is that the kernels are not roasted to avoid excessive nutty scents. The clearer oil could also be further filtered depending on the desired purity or clarity.
Sediments which are sometimes seen in pure Argan are as a result of the production processes, and do not affect quality.
It is important to note that the faint-odor or scent of unroasted-kernel Argan oil should not be mistaken for that of the deodorized Argan oil. The later has been chemically treated or processed. A procedure which has damaging effects on the oil’s amazing properties.
Argan Tree Cultivation
The tree is native to Southwestern Morocco, the Argan forest, stretches over 8,280 sq. Kilometer and has been designated UNESCO biosphere reserve in 1998 due to the threat it’s faced with.
Grazing, charcoal-making and intensive cultivation have led to a massive reduction of the expanse over the last couple of decades.
Argan oil is rich in essential fatty acids, unsaturated fatty acids, and vitamins A and E. It is more oxidation-resistant than olive oil. The oil is sold in Morocco as a luxury item. The product which was once difficult to procure outside Morocco has since, 2002, become a fashionable and widely available product in North America and Europe’s specialist shops and supermarkets.
Argan oil’s market has continued to be a thriving export, high-value product. Its fast-growing popularity has led to the Moroccan government’s plan to increase its annual production by approximately 63% by the year 2020. The tree is also grown in Negev, Israel and in the Arabah.
Skin and Hair Uses of Argan Oil
Like most natural oils, Argan oil can be used for a variety of skin and hair applications. They include:
- Skin Moisturizer: This vitamin-E-and-fatty-acid-rich oil finds common usage as an amazing skin moisturizer. It moisturizes the skin by keeping it sufficiently hydrated and softened. Argan oil is non-greasy, non-allergenic, and easily absorbed by the skin; face, neck, and the entire body.
- Exfoliating Oil: Argan oil does great on dry skins by restoring their shine and hydrating the cells. It is also effective for chapped lips; making them softer, smoother and moisturized
- Face Glow: As a foundation for your facial make-ups, Argan oil helps you maintain an amazingly luminous glow
- Skin Conditions: Dry skin conditions like eczema, itchy and flaky skin and the likes, can benefit from Argan oil’s natural healing properties contained in its constituent vitamin E and fatty acids. Argan oil also nourishes the skin and helps to smoothen and repair damaged skin.
- Anti-aging and Anti-acne: Besides being a great skin moisturizer, the anti-oxidants contained in Argan oil make it a fantastic anti-aging product. The oil restores skin elasticity and makes it feel softer and healthier. As an anti-acne treatment, the oil helps by healing damaged skin, and reduces inflammation.
- Stretch Mark Removal: Argan has helped several individuals, and pregnant women, protect their skins against sagging and stretch marks around the thighs, bottom, stomach and breasts and other parts of the body. The Vitamin E contained in the oil helps to maintain healthy skin-elasticity.
- Nail and Cuticle Treatment: You no longer need to worry over brittle nails or cuticles. Regularly applying Argan oil on your nails, cuticles, hands and feet would help keep them suppler, healthier and moisturized. A recommended approach is wearing a light cotton-hand-glove on your hands, and socks on your feet after applying Argan oil overnight. It significantly improves the skin’s texture and looks.
- Hair Styling: Gently massaging Argan oil through your hair creates a lovely moderate shine that lasts for several hours. Argan oil also does great as a conditioner for the hair; giving it a richer, fuller and healthier glow.
- Bathing Oil: When used as a body or bathing oil, Argan oil helps to moisturize the skin and keeps it nourished. It’s great on babies and pregnant women alike.
References:
https://saadiaorganics.com/pages/what-is-argan-oil
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Argan_oil
http://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-6826/10-Simple-Beauty-Uses-for-Organic-Argan-Oil.html
http://arganoilworld.com.au/10-argan-oil-benefits-for-hair-and-skin/